Sports

ATCN Partners Promoter for World-Class ‘Motorsport Festival’ in Nigeria

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

In its continued efforts to promote motorsport in Nigeria and generate economic value for the country, the Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN) has partnered with a prominent promoter to host an upcoming event dubbed the Motorsport Festival in Nigeria and beyond.

At a signing ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, the President of ATCN, Ishaku Bamaiyi, expressed that this partnership will usher in a new era for motorsport development in Nigeria.

The Festival of Motorsport aligns with the missions and visions of both ATCN and the Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC). According to Bamaiyi, today, March 4, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the development of motorsport in Nigeria, particularly grassroots development through the Festival of Motorsport.

“This event will create an industry that not only improves statistics but also adds economic value for promoters, competitors, and the Nigerian economy at large,” he said.

The Festival of Motorsport is a multi-disciplinary event offering Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their talents as competitors, officials, marshals, motorsport marketers, commentators, photographers, videographers, engineers, and more.

“We will soon see the results of our collective efforts,” Bamaiyi stated.

He further explained that the event will boost the country’s economy, promote global tourism, enhance environmental protection, and raise awareness about road safety. The festival will advocate for safe, affordable, and clean transport for all.

The President also identified several potential disciplines for motorsport development in Nigeria, including Junior and Senior Karting Sprint, Karting Slalom, Karting Endurance (4-hour race), Drifting Auto Slalom, Cross Car, and Digital Motorsport.

Reflecting on the progress made by ATCN in recent years, Bamaiyi highlighted the federation’s initiatives in training competitors and organizing events aimed at encouraging development, all without financial commitment from participants.

“Nigeria participated in the FIA Motorsport Games in 2022 in France and will compete in Spain in 2024. We finished in the quarter-finals in GT and the semi-finals in F4 in the esports categories. Our sole competitor in the senior Karting Sprint showed significant improvement,” he added.

Bamaiyi also revealed that the federation is set to launch a Motorsport App soon, which will be used to communicate and raise awareness about motorsports in Nigeria and beyond.

In his remarks, the promoter of the Motorsport Festival, Alhaji Basril Ibrahim, expressed his commitment to bringing world-class motorsport events to Nigeria.

“This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of motorsport in Nigeria,” Ibrahim said. “We are here today to sign this agreement for the Festival of Motorsport, and we believe it’s a great opportunity to contribute to motorsport development in Nigeria. Motorsport in Nigeria holds so much potential, and we need to turn these potentials into success.”

He added, “Look at how Formula 1 has become a daily part of everyone’s life. In 2021 alone, Formula 1 generated over $22 billion, and it’s projected to reach $25 billion by 2030. This presents a huge opportunity for Nigeria.”

Ibrahim emphasized that the signing of this agreement is not just about the financial aspect but also about grassroots development. “We are eager to nurture our young people here in Nigeria and take our motorsport to a world-class level. We hope this event will serve as the launchpad for promoting Nigeria on the global motorsport stage.”

The Festival of Motorsport is expected to become an annual event, raising awareness that Nigeria is ready for motorsport on the global platform.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

22 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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